Ipoh, May 17: Shredding off initial jitters and anxiety, India defeated Malaysia 2-1 to storm into the finals of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament. India stunned the home team to set a titial clash with Argentina

Earlier on Thursday India thwarted a series of late charges from Pakistan to notch up a stunning 2-1 win over the arch-rivals and ensured their stay in contention for the title in the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament.

Indian drag-flickers Sandeep Singh (6th minute) and Diwakar Ram (20th) rose up to the expectation by scoring a goal apiece, while veteran Pakistani mid-fielder Mohammad Saqlain (58th) netted the lone goal for his side.

With their third straight win in the tournament, India have now garnered nine points from five matches.

The Indians were in the attacking mode from the beginning and Shivendra Singh led the forwardline with command producing two good chances that went a begging.

But in the sixth minute, Sandeep unleashed a power-packed shot to convert India`s first penalty corner and give his side 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Sandeep had another chance to shoot at the Pakistani post, but this time his attempt was rather predictable and the rival goal-keeper Rashid had no problem in palming it away.

Banking on the third short corner, Diwakar Ram brought the second goal for India. With both Sandeep and Diwakar on guard to have a go at the goal, the Pakistanis had a little doubt about whom to tackle and the younger of the rag-flickers fired his shot which hit Rashid`s shoulder before deflecting to the roof of the net.

The amateurish-looking Pakistanis were completely off-colour in their approach. While the defenders were too cautious, the attackers were half-hearted and tentative.

They wasted as many as four penalty corners in the first half.